Studio J Team

Jaya is the owner and director of Studio J Dance and Sapphire Dance, and has been a driving force in Melbourne’s Indian dance community for over a decade. A dancer-entrepreneur at heart, she has built both companies around a love of dance and creating performance opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Jaya’s path into dance was anything but conventional. A physiotherapist in her previous career, she had no formal dance training growing up and discovered dance as a hobby in her early 20s. At 32, she began training in Bharatanatyam — a decision that would eventually lead her to leave corporate life and pursue dance full-time. Since then, Jaya has choreographed, taught and performed extensively across Australia and internationally, while growing Studio J into a thriving adult dance community. Studio J recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, while the same year brought a pretty special personal moment — getting to perform at the iconic Sydney Opera House. Having experienced firsthand the impact dance can have at every stage of life, Jaya is passionate about challenging the idea that there is a “right age” to start, and encouraging others to discover dance whenever the time feels right.

Joshinder Chaggar is an award-winning dance theatre artist & filmmaker. She has worked in the dance and theatre industry for the past 20 years, across Melbourne, Sydney, and Pakistan, and has participated in festivals locally and internationally. She recently completed a PhD doctorate, where her research intersects her intercultural identity with storytelling and connecting across cultures. Her solo dance work, Dancing In Infinite Worlds, won BEST IN DANCE & PHYSICAL THEATRE, at Melbourne Fringe 2024.  She is the recipient of a collaborative GREEN ROOM AWARD (2022), ‘Best Cabaret’, for the ensemble work TakeBack!.  Her short documentary, More Than Cute—featuring the Studio J Bolly-Seniors dance class—won BEST DOC AT THE REEL SISTERS OF THE DIASPORA FILM FESTIVAL 2022 in New York, & screened widely at film festivals across the globe. Joshinder is passionate about spreading joy through dance and creating community.

Ida is a Kathak dancer, choreographer, and psychologist with over 20 years of experience. Trained under Guru Shri Harish Gangani and Radhika Karandikar, she specialises in the Jaipur gharana of Kathak- and holds a bachelor’s degree in Indian Classical Dance. Ida is also Creative Director of Sapphire Dance, Australia’s leading Bollywood company, and teaches Kathak at Studio J. She has training across various Indian and western commercial dance forms and additionally offers private lessons, master classes and group workshops. She has performed across Australia, Europe, India, and the US, including collaborations with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and the award-winning short film Twin Flame.
A registered psychologist with a master’s in clinical psychology, Ida uses her platform to champion mental health, challenge stereotypes, and empower communities of colour through art and movement.

Govind Pillai is one of Australia’s leading Bharatanatyam practitioners and art makers. With an international track-record of sell-out productions and festival appearances, he has choreographed, directed and performed at venues and events including the Victorian Arts Centre, Sydney Opera House, Midsumma Festival, Woodford Folk Festival etc. and has held roles as Director of Karma Dance, Chair of the Board of the National Theatre (St Kilda), Lead Male Dancer of Sanskriti Dance (Sydney), Vice President of Flare Dance Co. (Melbourne), and Dance Advisor elect to the Federation of Indian Music and Dance Inc (Victoria). Read more about Govind in his interview here!

A seasoned dancer with over two decades of experience, Ashwini is a versatile instructor at Studio J Dance. Her expertise spans a wide range of styles, including Bharatanatyam, Garba, South Street, Kathak, Bhangra, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. A passionate advocate for dance, Ashwini believes in its power to foster community, build friendships, and cultivate grace and discipline. Leveraging her background in HR and L&D, she creates a supportive and engaging learning environment where students can thrive. Ashwini is also a performer and Creative Director of Melbourne’s premiere Bollywood dance group – Sapphire Dance.

Sonya has been dancing for over 20 years and has trained in multiple dance styles, including Bollywood, Bhangra and Odissi. Sonya was part of Shiamak Dance Academy for 10 years, and later co-founded her own dance company – LAKS Dance Crew. Sonya has extensive experience in performing, teaching and choreographing. A highly sought after performer, Sonya is Creative Director of Melbourne’s leading Bollywood group, Sapphire Dance. She is also coach and Creative Director of our SJ Dance Crews.

Gerard Pigg and his signature Hells & Hip Hop classes are BACK! Gerard’s classes at Studio J have been one of our most popular ever – come and see what all the fuss is about 🙂 Gerard has trained extensively in hip hop, Bollywood, contemporary, jazz, Latin and commercial. He has performed on stages world wide and has a legion of dance fans!

Raksha began her bellydance journey in 2006, inspired by Shakira and a spark that grew into a lifelong passion. For nearly 20 years, she has trained across India and internationally in Egyptian Raqs Sharqi (Bellydance), Bollywood and Fusion styles.

With 12 years of teaching experience, she has trained hundreds of students, taught at major festivals, organised India’s biggest bellydance festival Arabella and coached Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez. She also performed in Jillina Carlano’s acclaimed Alice in Wonderland BDEx production. Now based in Melbourne, Raksha teaches Bellydance–Bollywood Fusion at Studio J Dance. She also performs with Finucane & Smith and the Melbourne Bellydance professional troupe.

Sathiya has been dancing, teaching and choreographing for over 13 years, with experience in South Indian dance, Bollywood, Tamil folk and locking. Extremely passionate about South Indian cinematic dance, he formed a college dance crew before later joining Sherif Dance Company in India. Sathiya has choreographed for numerous events, including Tamil reality TV shows, and has performed throughout Melbourne and Chennai. His career highlight was performing alongside Prabhu Deva for the Indian Premier League. Sathiya brings an authentic South Indian street style to Studio J.